MAFS Shock: 'Heartbroken' Co-Star Pays Tribute to Late Reality TV Relationship Expert Dr Trisha Stratford
Key Highlights :
It is with great sadness that the former co-star of Married At First Sight, John Aiken, has revealed the passing of Dr Trisha Stratford. The clinical neuro-psychotherapist was aged 72 when she died, leaving many of her former colleagues and co-stars heartbroken.
John Aiken, who currently stars as a relationship coach on MAFS, took to social media to break the news, posting “I'm heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away. We shared an amazing seven seasons of MAFS together. She loved everything New Zealand, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and travelling the world. I'll miss you Tish. Thank you for all the memories.”
Nine also released a statement expressing their sadness at the news, saying “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr Trisha Stratford. Our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and those closest during this difficult time.”
Several former MAFS participants have also taken to Instagram to express their grief at the loss of their former confidante. Elizabeth Sobinoff, who appeared on the show in season six and seven, commented “She was so genuine and so kind to me. She was so bright and a safe space.” Season five star Sarah Roza also commented “Ohhh my gosh, this is such awful and unexpected news! Rest in peace Trisha. You were ALWAYS just so lovely to me.”
Trisha, who hailed from New Zealand, joined the Nine show in its first season in 2015, starring alongside relationship gurus John Aiken and Sabina Read. She was part of MAFS since its inception, before announcing her departure from the franchise in 2020.
In a statement at the time, Trisha said “After seven seasons of Married At First Sight I have decided to step back from the television series to focus on my writing, research and neuropsychotherapy. I've been involved right from the beginning in the challenge of bringing this social experiment to television. The program provides a platform for an ongoing conversation on relationships and I wish the program continued success and hope future participants find everlasting love.”
In response to her resignation from the role, a statement from the MAFS team read “All our thanks to Trisha for the extraordinary contribution she has made to the success of #MAFS!”
At the time, a production insider told Daily Mail Australia that Trisha had been notably missing during the second and third stages of castings of season eight. Instead, participants were introduced to Trisha's replacement, Puerto Rican sex therapist Alessandra Rampolla.
In March 2021, former participant Jessika Power, who starred in season six, told the Unpopular podcast that Trisha was often unwell during filming. “She was really sick when we were filming. There would be times when we would have to stop filming and she just had to take a moment or have some, I don't know, Panadol or something. She was pretty sick, she didn't really say much,” she said.
In early 2021, Trisha also came forward to launch a scathing attack on the controversial reality series, claiming that it left her feeling “sick”. “By the end, I couldn't compromise my professional and personal standards because there were participants on the show who I felt shouldn't have been there. If someone gets through the critical selection process, when we say we don't want them on the show because they're quite fragile, they're not going to do well after the show,” she said.
Trisha went on to say what the contestants go through is “a tough gig psychologically” and she compared it to experiencing “conflict in war zones”. She added that the show changed from the “observational documentary” she felt she had agreed to be part of.
Trisha was replaced by Puerto Rican sex therapist Alessandra Rampolla, who has been shaking up the current season of the show with racy challenges and exercises.
The news of Dr Trisha Stratford's passing has come as a shock to the MAFS community, with many paying tribute to the late reality TV relationship expert. Her legacy will live on in the show and in the hearts of those who knew her.
